WO2024227526A1 - Method for combating a torpedo - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for combating a torpedo, having the following steps: a) detecting the torpedo; b) tracking a trajectory of the torpedo; c) navigating a combating projectile to a specified distance from the torpedo; and d) generating a detonation by means of the combating projectile (20) in order to combat the torpedo when the combating projectile (20) has reached the specified distance from the torpedo.

Description

Methods for Combating a Torpedo

Description

The invention relates to the combating of torpedoes or the protection of a floating or partially or fully submerged platform against one or more torpedoes.

A torpedo is an underwater weapon designed as an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely controlled underwater vehicle (ROV) with an explosive charge. Mixed forms are also possible. The torpedo ignites when it comes into contact with or approaches a target. The torpedo serves as the main weapon of manned and unmanned platforms, such as submarines, but can also be used by surface ships, aircraft and helicopters or fired from land. Due to their mechanism of action, current defense measures only provide partial protection against individual torpedo attack methods and have increasingly become less likely to be defended due to further developments in torpedo technology.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved concept for combating torpedoes, in particular regardless of their method of attack.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

Embodiments show a method for combating a torpedo. In a first step (a), the torpedo is detected. The detection is preferably carried out by means of sensors, for example active and/or passive sonar. The detection can be carried out by a combating body or any water platform, in particular the water platform from which the combating body is launched. It is also possible to detect the torpedo using one or more sonobuoys. In a second step (b), the trajectory of the torpedo is tracked. For this purpose, the position of the torpedo can be determined repeatedly, in particular continuously. This means that the position of the torpedo is also determined after the combat body has been launched. In particular, the position of the torpedo is determined until the torpedo has been combated, i.e. preferably rendered harmless. In another view, the position of the torpedo is determined at least from the detection of the torpedo until the combat body triggers the detonation to combat the torpedo. The position of the torpedo can be determined using beamforming, for example. The trajectory of the torpedo can be calculated using the combat body or the water platform. It is also optionally possible for sensor data from the sensors of both the combat body and the water platform to be used to determine the trajectory of the torpedo. The sensor data or the calculated trajectory can be sent from the water platform to the control body, especially before take-off, e.g. by means of an optical fiber.

Preferably, the torpedo's trajectory is determined in real time. This means that the current position of the torpedo is determined regularly. The frequency of the position determination depends on the usual time that the sensors, such as the sonar (system), need to update the situation picture of the combat vehicle. For example, the situation picture is updated once per second, so that the current position of the torpedo is also determined once per second. However, any other update intervals can also be provided. It should be noted, however, that the intervals cannot be arbitrarily small due to the measurement time required by the sensors.

The combat moving body can now be navigated to a predetermined distance from the torpedo in a third step (c). This can be done depending on the specific positions of the torpedo. It should be noted that in general, instead of a single combat moving body, a plurality of Combat missiles can be deployed, typically simultaneously, to combat the torpedo. The fact that the combat missiles are deployed simultaneously means that there is no waiting until one combat missile has failed to achieve its mission objective, ie, rendering the torpedo harmless, before another combat missile is deployed. Rather, both combat missiles attempt to pursue their mission objective simultaneously, particularly independently of one another.

In further embodiments, in a further step (e), one or more future positions of the torpedo, i.e. a future trajectory, can also be predicted in order to improve the navigation of the combat vehicle. The prediction of the future trajectory can be based, for example, on the previous trajectory of the torpedo and the speed of the torpedo. It is also possible to perform the calculation of the future trajectory of the torpedo several times in order to obtain updates to the prediction of the future trajectory. For example, an update to the prediction of the future trajectory can be made after a current position of the torpedo has been determined, in particular after each current position of the torpedo has been determined.

When the combat body has reached the specified distance to the torpedo, i.e. its target, the combat body generates a detonation to combat the torpedo. The aim of combating the torpedo is to ensure that the torpedo can no longer attack its target. This can be achieved by completely destroying the torpedo, for example by triggering the torpedo's explosive charge. However, it can also be enough if the hull of the torpedo is destroyed and its electronics are damaged by water penetrating it, or if the torpedo's drive or steering no longer function properly due to the detonation.

The idea is to use a combat body, which can also be called an anti-torpedo torpedo, to reach the attacking torpedo in its path and to combat it specifically by means of a detonation. This means that the combat body actively moves towards the torpedo. This enables a early combat of the torpedo. This enables an effective defense against torpedoes.

In one embodiment, the combat moving body causes a collision with the torpedo in step c) in order to generate the detonation in step d). The combat moving body can preferably hit the torpedo laterally, i.e. for example from the side, from above, from below, or at any angle in between. This means that the predetermined distance is set to "0". Hitting the torpedo has various advantages. Firstly, the torpedo experiences the greatest effect of the detonation when the detonation is triggered by the impact. The probability of the torpedo being completely destroyed, which is the safest way to combat the torpedo, is therefore the greatest. Triggering by impact is also the safest way to trigger the detonation at the right time. Furthermore, unintentional triggering by the trigger, for example mechanical or electrical, is effectively prevented. In the case of ignition that occurs solely through software, suitable safety measures would have to be taken here to avoid unintentional triggering of the detonation.

In further embodiments, in step c) the combat vehicle initially navigates to a target coordinate determined depending on the future trajectory. Before the combat vehicle arrives at its target, this target coordinate is updated based on updates of the future trajectory of the torpedo in order to improve navigation. This means that the combat vehicle preferably calculates the future trajectory of the torpedo. The necessary sensor data can come from sensors on the combat vehicle, but also from sensors on the water platform. The data can be transmitted from the water platform to the combat vehicle using an optical fiber, for example. If the optical fiber is broken, the torpedo's trajectory can also be determined using the sensors on the combat vehicle alone.

In further embodiments, the target coordinate is first determined on the water platform that deploys the combat vehicle, and the combat vehicle updates the target coordinate independently after launch, in order to obtain an improved target coordinate. This means that the combat vehicle receives a target specification from its water platform, which the combat vehicle can adjust autonomously, for example through more precise calculations of the torpedo's trajectory and/or a more precise arrival time or impact time. The determination can be made on the water platform based on sensor data that comes from sensors on the water platform and/or from sensors on the combat vehicle.

Similarly, a combat moving body for combating a torpedo is disclosed. The combat moving body comprises a sensor that is designed to repeatedly determine environmental information that is significant for the torpedo and to output corresponding sensor signals. An (active and/or passive) sonar is suitable as a sensor. The combat moving body also comprises an explosive charge that is designed to combat the torpedo. This means that the explosive charge is chosen to be so strong that the torpedo is damaged to such an extent when it detonates at a predetermined distance that it can no longer attack the water platform or another water platform.

The combat moving body further comprises a control unit that is designed to detect the torpedo based on the sensor signals, to track a trajectory of the torpedo and to navigate the combat moving body to a predetermined distance from the torpedo. The control unit or the combat moving body can ignite the explosive charge when the predetermined distance from the torpedo is reached. This means that the explosive charge is ignited, for example, electrically by means of the control unit or mechanically, e.g. by means of an impact fuse. Optionally, the control unit can carry out the method steps described above (completely or partially).

Furthermore, a water platform with a combating body, a sensor, a signal processing unit and a deployment device is disclosed. The combating body is designed to combat the torpedo. The sensor is designed to repeatedly determine environmental information that is significant for the torpedo and to output corresponding sensor signals. The signal processing unit is designed to combat the torpedo based on the to detect sensor signals and to track a trajectory of the torpedo. The deployment device is designed to release the combat moving body from the water platform into the water surrounding the water platform. The signal processing unit can then determine a target coordinate for combating the torpedo and specify the target coordinate to the combat moving body. Optionally, the signal processing unit can carry out the method steps described above until the combat moving body is released.

In one embodiment, the control body of the water platform is the control body described above. Using the sensor system, the control body, in particular its control unit, can also carry out all of the process steps, even if the control body is (mechanically) connected to the water platform. When using sonar as a sensor, the control body can be arranged on the water platform in such a way that it is already in the water in order to be able to receive the sound waves.

Analogously, a computer program is disclosed which comprises instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method described above.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1: a schematic side view of a control barrel;

Fig. 2: a schematic side view of a water platform with the control body.

Before embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, it is pointed out that identical, functionally identical or equivalent elements, objects and/or structures in the different figures are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the Description of these elements is interchangeable or can be applied to each other.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a combat moving body 20. The combat moving body has a sensor 22, an explosive charge 24 and a control unit 26. The sensor 22 repeatedly determines environmental information that is significant for torpedoes to be detected and outputs corresponding sensor signals 23 based on the environmental information. The torpedo can be combated, in particular destroyed, using the explosive charge 24. The control unit 26 can detect the torpedo based on the sensor signals 23, track a trajectory of the torpedo and navigate the combat moving body to a predetermined distance from the torpedo. Once the combat moving body 20 has reached the predetermined distance from the torpedo, the control unit 26 can trigger the explosive charge, in particular detonate it, using an ignition signal 27. Alternatively, other ignition mechanisms are also conceivable. For example, the explosive charge can also be ignited by hitting the torpedo using an impact fuse. In general, it is conceivable to ignite the explosive charge mechanically or by the control unit receiving the information from the impact that the specified distance to the torpedo has been reached and issuing the ignition signal.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a water platform 28. The water platform 28 comprises a combat running body for combating a torpedo. Optionally, the combat running body can be the combat running body 20 from Fig. 1. The water platform also has a sensor 30, a signal processing unit 32 and a deployment device 34. The sensor 30 can repeatedly determine environmental information that is significant for the torpedo and output corresponding sensor signals 31. The sensor 30 of the water platform and the sensor 22 of the combat running body can be the same sensors or sensors that use the same sensor principle. That is, the sensors can each be sonars. However, the sensor of the combat running body can be a hull-mounted sonar, which is preferably mounted on the bow. The sonar of the water platform It can be a sidescan sonar. It is also possible that one of the two sensors uses an active sonar while the other sensor uses a passive sonar. The sonar sensor is chosen only as an example. Preferably, not just a single sensor but a number of sensors are used to detect the torpedo.

Examples of alternative sensors are optical sensors, e.g. cameras, which enable detection by flying over at least in clear and/or shallow waters. It is also possible to use a combination of a plurality of similar sensors, e.g. sensors, for detection or to use different measuring methods. For example, sonobuoys, sensors anchored to the seabed or other watercraft can send their information to the combat vessel or its water platform. It is also possible to use the (preferably active) sonar of these sensors for bi- or multi-static sonar detection methods. Furthermore, sensors can detect the torpedo based on its magnetic field. In particular, sensors anchored to the seabed can have such magnetic field sensors. The signal processing unit 32 can detect the torpedo based on the sensor signals and track a trajectory of the torpedo.

The deployment device 34 can release the combat moving body from the water platform 28 into the water surrounding the water platform. Here, a deployment device 34 on deck or below deck of a surface ship is shown as a water platform 28. However, it is also possible, for example, to use a torpedo tube as a deployment device.

If the torpedo is detected, the signal processing unit 32 can determine a target coordinate and specify the target coordinate to the combat vehicle.

The signal processing unit 32 and the control unit 26 can therefore carry out parts of the described method in a coordinated manner, regardless of the respective embodiment. However, only the control unit 26 of the control walking body is able to carry out the entire method independently, even on the water platform, if appropriately positioned. The disclosed (water) sound transducers are designed for use under water, in particular in the sea. The sound transducers can convert water sound into an electrical signal (e.g. voltage or current) corresponding to the sound pressure, the water sound signal. In addition, it is possible for the sound transducers to convert an applied electrical voltage into water sound. The sound transducers can therefore be used as water sound receivers and/or as water sound transmitters. The sound transducers can have a piezoelectric material, for example a piezoceramic, as the sensor material. The sound transducers can be used for (active and/or passive) sonar (sound navigation and ranging, dl: sound navigation and distance determination). This means that the water sound transducers can be part of a sonar system. The sound transducers are preferably not suitable for medical applications or are not used for medical applications.

Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects that have been described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein. List of reference symbols:

20 control barrels

22 Sensor 23 Sensor signal

24 explosive charges

26 control unit

27 ignition signal

28 Water platform 30 Platform sensor

31 sensor signal

32 signal processing unit

34 Application device

Claims

patent claims 1 . Method for combating a torpedo with the following steps: a) detecting the torpedo; b) tracking a trajectory of the torpedo; c) navigating a combat running body to a predetermined distance from the torpedo; d) generating a detonation with the combat running body (20) to combat the torpedo when the combat running body (20) has reached the predetermined distance from the torpedo. 2. Method according to claim 1 with a further step e): predicting the future trajectory of the torpedo. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein step e) is performed multiple times to obtain updates of the prediction of the future trajectory of the torpedo. 4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the combat barrel (20) in step c) causes a collision with the torpedo to produce the detonation in step d). 5. Method according to claim 3 or claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the combat running body (20) in step c) first navigates to a target coordinate determined as a function of the future trajectory and this target coordinate is updated prior to the arrival of the combat running body based on updates of the future trajectory of the torpedo in order to improve navigation. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the target coordinate is first determined on a water platform (28) which deploys the combat running body (20), and the combat running body (20) independently updates the target coordinate after launch in order to obtain an improved target coordinate. 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, step c) comprises actively steering the combat running body towards the torpedo. 8. Combat body (20) for combating a torpedo with the following features: - a sensor (22) which is designed to repeatedly determine environmental information which is significant for the torpedo and to output corresponding sensor signals (23) in each case; - an explosive charge (24) designed to combat the torpedo; - a control unit (26) which is designed to detect the torpedo based on the sensor signals (23), to track a trajectory of the torpedo and to navigate the combat running body (20) to a predetermined distance from the torpedo; - wherein the control unit (26) or the combat body (20) is designed to detonate the explosive charge when the predetermined distance to the torpedo is reached. 9. Combat running body (20) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7. 10. Water platform with the following features: - a combat body (20) designed to combat a torpedo; - a sensor (30) which is designed to repeatedly determine environmental information which is significant for the torpedo and to output corresponding sensor signals (31) in each case; - a signal processing unit (32) designed to detect the torpedo based on the sensor signals (31) and to track a trajectory of the torpedo; - a deployment device (34) which is designed to release the control body (20) from the water platform (28) into the water surrounding the water platform; - wherein the signal processing unit (32) is designed to determine a target coordinate for combating the torpedo and to specify the target coordinate to the combat running body (20). 11. A water platform according to claim 10, wherein the control body (20) is a control body (20) according to claim 8 or claim 9. 12. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7.